Mom’s Money

Been Putting Off That Rummage Sale? Try These Stress Reducers.

Here comes the dreaded rummage sale.  Whether it’s a matter of clutter or a matter of making some much needed cash, a rummage sale is something that almost every family will have to face at least once in their lives.  Drive through any neighborhood and you’ll see garages heaped to the rafters with STUFF.  Important stuff?  Maybe some, but certainly not all.  If this describes your garage, basement, or closets, you know you need to clean house.  If you are financially stressed, a rummage sale may help ease the burden.

How do we begin the process of the rummage sale without the pain it can cause?  Selling off your stuff is difficult when you’re just doing it to clean out the clutter.  But, if like so many people today, you are having a garage sale to make some much needed cash, your emotions will be doubly raw.  It’s difficult to watch people pick over your belongings, and you may become defensive and angry.  So, what do we do?

Give yourself plenty of time to gather your rummage sale items and mourn your loss.  In order to avoid some of the emotions attached to selling your possessions, you may want to ask a friend to help, both with the pricing and on the day of the sale.  It may be hard to decide to sell your baby’s playpen, but it can be even harder to watch it go, and at a ridiculously low price.  But, once you’ve made the decision, and the day is over, you’ll have what you need… cash in hand and a clean garage.

Now, beware the PRICING!  Here’s where most people will go temporarily insane.  I have seen friends try to stick a little price tag on every bib, t-shirt, book, and candle, and go stark raving mad in the process.  STOP!  This whole rummage sale thing is a difficult task.  Don’t make it even more difficult by pricing every single item.  It’s not worth it.  Any amount of money you get is more than you had before.  I recommend, and this is THE big stress reducer, put price tags on only your big ticket items like furniture and appliances.  Everything else should be priced like a Dollar Store.  Put similar or like-items together, bundle them and offer them for a flat price.  Make signs saying all baby clothes that fit in a particular bag $5, or any piece of adult clothing $1.  Pricing anything under $1 is not going to be worth your time.  You may be better off in the end by donating those items to charity.

Be sure to have a strong, reliable person, who’s good with money and people, help you on the day of the sale.  Don’t accept any checks from people you don’t know.  You don’t have to accommodate every rummage sale shoppers need.  Cash is King and everyone that shops rummage sales knows this rule.  It’s true that after the day is done, you may have some regrets.  But, you’ve done the best you could do for you and your family and that’s all that matters in the end.  Now, go count your cash!